Innovative Cooling System for Data Centers Using Phase Change Materials

Strategic Insights -

Research at the University of Sherbrooke has developed an advanced solar-powered cooling system that integrates thermal energy storage with phase change materials to ensure a consistent thermal supply during non-solar hours. This system utilizes the thermodynamic properties of three different phase change materials to optimize its performance and minimize cost. The study's results demonstrate a 67.57% improvement in exergy efficiency during summer compared to autumn, highlighting the impact of solar availability. This research sets a benchmark for integrating renewable energy into high-efficiency cooling systems, offering a practical and sustainable solution for thermal management in data centers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The solar-powered cooling system integrates thermal energy storage with phase change materials to ensure a consistent thermal supply during non-solar hours.
  • The system utilizes the thermodynamic properties of three PCMs: Adipic acid, Dimethyl terephthalate, and Suberic acid.
  • A multi-objective optimization using a genetic algorithm (GA) and the TOPSIS method is employed to enhance system performance by minimizing cost and maximizing efficiency.
  • Among the materials studied, Dimethyl terephthalate exhibits the highest exergy efficiency of 20.36% during charging, making it the most suitable PCM for the application.
  • The optimized system achieves a coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.79 and an operating cost of $56.31 per hour.
  • Seasonal analysis reveals a 67.57% improvement in exergy efficiency during summer compared to autumn.
  • The results underscore the critical role of PCM thermodynamic properties and TES design in enhancing system resilience and cost-effectiveness.
  • The research sets a benchmark for integrating renewable energy into high-efficiency cooling systems.

Statistics:

  • 20.36%: exergy efficiency of Dimethyl terephthalate during charging
  • 67.57%: improvement in exergy efficiency during summer compared to autumn
  • 0.79: coefficient of performance (COP) of the optimized system
  • $56.31: operating cost per hour of the optimized system
  • 2025: year of publication for the Journal of Energy Storage study
  • 132: volume number of the Journal of Energy Storage study

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from University of Sherbrooke Reveal New Findings on Phase Change Materials (Optimization of Solar-powered Cooling Systems for Data Centers Using Phase Change Materials Based On Energy, Exergy, and Eco-exergy Analysis: a Case Study). Information Technology Newsweekly. October 14, 2025; p 1160.
  • "Optimization of Solar-powered Cooling Systems for Data Centers Using Phase Change Materials Based On Energy, Exergy, and Eco-exergy Analysis: a Case Study." Journal of Energy Storage, 2025;132.